me and be shown instructing me. He was delighted, but
right in the middle of the picture he "inspected" my barrel. I had not
cleaned it, and he forgot the camera, and gave me the devil. You can
imagine how the crowd roared, and the camera director man was
delighted. I wanted it retaken showing the captain patting me on the
back.

Roosevelt turned up today, and was very nice. Martin Egan came with
him and the British Naval Attache, and they have asked me to dine at a
real table at Hotel Champlain with two other men. It will be fine to
eat off china. The "hike" begins Friday, and we sleep each night on
the ground, but the country we march through is beautiful. All that
counts is getting the days behind me and getting you in my arms. Doing
one's "bit" for one's country is right, but as the man said, "God knows
I love my country and want to fight for her, but I hope to God I never
love another country." Good-night, dear, dear one! How wonderful it
will be to see and hear you again. Kiss Hope for her Dad.

RICHARD.

Saturday.

DEAREST:

This is writing with all the love, but with difficulties. I am sitting
on a log and the light is a candle. Today we had our first fight. It
happened the squad of eight men I am in was sent in advance, and I was
100 yards in front, so I was the first to come in touch with the scouts
of the Red Army, and I killed a lot. My squad was so brave that we all
got killed THREE TIMES. But as soon as the umpire rode away we would
come to life, and go on fighting. Finally, he took us prisoners, and
made us sit down and look on at the battle. As we had been running
around and each carrying a forty-pound pack, we were glad to remain
dead. But we have declared that nothing can kill us tomorrow but
asphyxiating gas. I have terrible nightmares for fear something has
happened to one of you, and then I trust in the good Lord, and pray him
to make the time pass swiftly.

Good-night, and all the love and kisses for you both.

RICHARD.

On October 19, 1915, Richard sailed on the Chicago for France and his
second visit to the Great War. He arrived at Paris on October 30, and
shortly afterward visited the Western front at Amiens and Artois. He
also interviewed Poincare, and through him the French President sent a
message to the American people. At this time my brother had received
permission from the authorities to visit all of the twelve sectors of
the French front under parti